Virginia L. Morell was an avid gardener, president of the American Holly Society, Arboretum Foundation board member, and volunteer at the Washington Park Arboretum. Virginia and Jean L. Haigh started the Arboretum ‘Saplings’ Program, which they ran for two years. This program was taken over by UW Botanic Gardens Youth and Family Education and now serves thousands of school children each year.
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1) Clerodendrum bungei Rose Glory Bower Rose Glory Bower (of the Lamiaceae family) is native to China and northern India. This shrub spreads aggressively by root suckers and has become invasive in the South. The rosy-red flowers are very showy and fragrant and attractive to butterflies. You can find Clerodendrum bungei along Azalea Way below the Winter Garden. 2) Hydrangea serrata ‘Blue Bird’ Blue Bird Hydrangea The Blue Bird Hydrangea was an Royal Horticulture Society Award of Merit winner in 1960.
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1) Fuchsia magellanica Hardy Fuchsia The stunning display of pink flowers currently on Fuchsia magellanica are enjoyed by hummingbirds and humans. This widely cultivated small ornamental shrub is native to Argentina and Chile. You can find this and other Fuchsia sp. blooming in the Pacific Connections Garden. 2) Lagerstroemia ‘Natchez’ Natchez Crape Myrtle An attractive small deciduous tree with slender, mottled stems.
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1) Ozothamnus rosmarinifolius ‘Silver Jubilee’ The silvery foliage serves as a lovely backdrop for the dense clusters of white flowers in spring. This shrub can grow to about four feet tall and wide and is a member of the Asteraceae family. You can find Ozothamnus rosmarinifolius ‘Silver Jubilee’ blooming in the Australian portion of the Pacific Connections Garden. 2) Callistemon pityoides (Mt.
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1) Buddleja longiflora This rare evergreen butterfly bush is native to the Serra do Caparao mountains in Brazil. What makes this Buddleja species unique from other species and cultivars is its stunning, long tubular orange flowers that are paired in three-to-five flowered cymes. Its flowers, plus striking white tomentose leaves and small stature (four feet), make this a worthy plant to introduce into the nursery trade.
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1) Buddleja globosa Orange Ball Buddleja This Chilean large and lanky quasi-evergreen shrub comes true to name when in flower. It is now festooned with 8-10 fragrant orange ball-shaped flowers arranged in terminal panicles. Hummingbirds are fun to watch while hovering and feeding over each “ball” for several seconds. You can view several blooming now in our Pacific Connections Chilean Gateway Garden.
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Pacific Northwest Natives 1) Berberis aquifolium, formerly known as Mahonia aquifolium Tall Oregon Grape Native to the Pacific Northwest from British Columbia to northern California. Its yellow flowers in April smell like honey and attract hummingbirds and insect pollinators. Blue-black berries are edible and are used to make jam and juice. Pacific Northwest aboriginal peoples used the bark and roots to make a yellow dye.
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Native Ground Covers in Bloom 1) Trillium ovatum Pacific Trillium The three white petals of Trillium are always a sign of spring. As they age, the petals turn pink. These native wildflowers are common under-story plants in our woods. The seeds of Trillium contain a substance attractive to ants who act as seed dispersers. Scattered populations of Trillium bloom throughout the native areas of the Arboretum.
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1) Acer palmatum ‘Katsura’ Japanese Maple Japanese maples have been cultivated in Japan for over 300 years. While they are most known for their stunning fall colors, I personally enjoy them as much in the spring for their new leaf color. ‘Katsura’ is a cultivar which appears to have bright orange new leaves, but on closer inspection, the leaves are bright yellow with a red margin.
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1) Cornus mas Cornelian Cherry This yellow flowering tree that blooms in late winter to early spring, is native to southern Europe and southwestern Asia. The common name refers to the fruit that matures in late summer. The fruit has many cultural uses including jams, medicine, beverages, tools, and spears. There is a grove of this Cornus at the Center for Urban Horticulture along NE 41st Street.
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